lisbon

Hello, lisbon

Lisbon's unique mixture of tradition and modernity, of small town and metropolis, captivates visitors from near and far. Excellent shopping, ornate architecture, late and safe nightlife, as well as restaurants with some of Europe’s best seafood are just a few of the reasons to visit this magnificent European capital.

City Information

Essential Information about the city

figurines on a passport

Passport / Visa

Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

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sign at the Lisbon airport

Lisbon Airport (LIS)

Humberto Delgado Airport, also known as Lisbon Airport, is conveniently located near the city centre, providing quick, easy, and cost-effective transfers.Two Aerobus lines, operating from 7:30 am to 11 pm, provide efficient connections. Line 1 connects the airport to Cais do Sodré, a major transport hub and vibrant cultural spot, with buses departing every 20–25 minutes. Similarly, Line 2 links the airport with Avenida José Malhoa, the heart of the city's financial district, on the same schedule.Alternative public transportation options include the metro and city buses. The direct 'Aeroporto – Saldanha' metro line whisks you to downtown Lisbon in about 20 minutes. While city buses also serve the airport, please note that the maximum baggage size permitted on these buses is 50x40x20cm. If your luggage exceeds these dimensions, the airport-specific Aerobus or Airport Shuttle services are recommended.For direct travel, taxis are readily available. Typically, a ride to the city centre will take between 20 minutes to half an hour, though times can vary with traffic conditions, particularly during nights and weekends.If you're planning to explore beyond Lisbon, Gare do Oriente, the city's main train station, is a brief metro or bus ride away. This station offers comprehensive rail connections to destinations across the country. Of course, taxis are also available for added convenience.

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Lisbon street

Best Time to Visit

Lisbon enjoys a pleasant climate year round, with mild winters and very hot summers. During the summertime people head for the seaside for vacation and the beaches can get very crowded, especially during high season (July–August). Lisbon's location by the ocean means that the temperatures never get too high, and there is often a gentle breeze coming from the Atlantic.The best time to visit Lisbon is definitely mid to late spring (April–May), when the weather is nice and warm and the city is not yet packed with tourists. The most important festivities are held in early June, when the whole city celebrates the patron saint, Saint Anthony, (on June 13th), and other revered saints. During the celebrations the city is full of people, with music, street dancing and traditional grilled sardines sold at kiosks along the streets.

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Elevador da Bica, a cable car

Public Transport

Lisbon is well connected with public transport, including buses, underground, local trains, ferries, trams and funiculars. The latter two are the least efficient but most entertaining. Tickets can be purchased both at ticket offices and on board with an extra charge.Buses and the underground stop running around 1 am, there are night buses but it is easiest to take a taxi for late night journeys.Metro trains run daily from 6:30 am to 1:00 am. Buses run daily from 5:30 am to 12:30 am, after which you should consult the night busses schedule.

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taxi Lisbon

Taxi

Taxis can be stopped on the street, taken from stations, requested by calling or via an app. Taxi tariffs in Portugal are officially set by cities or districts. You can use an online fare calculator to know how much your trip will cost, more or less. The basic fee is €3.25, the kilometre price is €0.47. For standing and waiting time, €14.80 is charged per hour. Nighttime fees are a bit higher. Surcharges may apply.In central Lisbon, empty taxis circulate frequently, except during rush hours or when it rains. Tips are not mandatory, but are appreciated even if they are small.You can install and use apps like Bolt (Taxify), Free Now (My Taxi), and Cabify, and more taxi apps are launching all the time. Uber remains the most popular one.

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parcels with stamps

Post

Post offices are generally open on weekdays from 8:30 am to 6 pm and Saturdays until 12:30 pm. The main post office at Praça dos Restauradores has longer opening hours on weekdays but is closed on weekends.

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green pharmacy cross

Pharmacy

Generally, pharmacies in Lisbon are open on weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm; some pharmacies close for lunch. On Saturdays, pharmacies close around 1pm. Each district will have a 24 hour pharmacy (farmácia, with a green cross) according to a schedule posted in the windows of all closed pharmacies.

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retro rotary phone

Telephone

Country code: +351 Area code: 21

European power plug

Electricity

220 V/50Hz with with a Type F electrical plug with two round pins, same as in many countries in Continental Europe.

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